Entering the 2013-2014 season on a team that had lost more than three-quarters of its shooting in the offseason prior, redshirt sophomore Austin Etherington found himself in a peculiar situation. He was coming off an offseason of rehabilitation after breaking a kneecap on Dec. 8, 2012, in a game against Central Connecticut State, but he was expected to be an immediate contributor, as well.

“What we need Austin to do is make jump shots,” Indiana coach Tom Crean said before the season began. “We need Austin to hold his ground defensively. We need Austin to get out and get out on that break and be a guy that can space the court.”

And in early playing time opportunities this season, Etherington — who Crean, in fact, hoped to be a long-range contributor — rarely attempted shots from behind the arc. He attempted just three 3-pointers in the first eight games of the season. Against North Florida, on Dec. 8, Etherington made two 3-pointers — his first since more than a year earlier (against Sam Houston State).

But even toward the end of the non-conference season, Etherington’s playing time diminished: He played only six minutes against Kennesaw State in the finale and just three in the Big Ten-opening loss at Illinois.

However, when sophomore Jeremy Hollowell was disciplined for “focus” issues, a three-game suspension, Etherington received an opportunity for playing time. And at Penn State on Jan. 11, Etherington made the most of it, draining a game-winning 3-pointer from the left baseline in the final two minutes of regulation against the Nittany Lions. It was perhaps the highlight of his season.

In the following four games, he would play more than 18 minutes each game. He would attempt just two 3-pointers and 10 shots in that span of 77 minutes of game time.

Though Crean took Etherington out of a main role at that point, the 6-foot-6, third-year forward remained a part of the rotation toward the end of the season. He would play a career-high 24 minutes against Iowa after scoring a season-high seven points against Ohio State. But he wouldn’t play a game in double-digit minutes for the remainder of the season.

Bottom line: After the Hoosiers’ final loss to Illinois, Etherington expressed his frustrations on the season. Just about a week and a half later, it was revealed Etherington had asked for his release from the program. And thus, after an up-and-down season that started in hope and ended with disappointment, Etherington’s career as an Indiana Hoosier has come to an end.

Just read where Trevor Thompson, a 6-foot-11, 210 pound graduate of Ben Davis is transferring from Virginia Tech. Anyone know any information on him? I would like for IU to show some interest.

calbert40

Right. I didn’t compare AE’s numbers with Stan’s, because Stan started receiving more minutes at about the same time AE’s minutes ticked up too.

Truthfully, I thought AE was earning the minutes that JH lost, but after looking at those numbers, that wasn’t completely accurate. I think AE took minutes from various sources including JH, Troy and even HMP to a lesser extent.

calbert40

Hard to say if trust issues played a part in the (perceived) chemistry issues. Personally, I think Troy deserved to start over those two anyway, but I agree that with you that Troy would have been a great 6th man. The problem is that we didn’t have a ton of other options. He has some flaws, but name a wing on this roster who doesn’t.

If Troy would have been the 6th man, the starting lineup would have to be something like Yogi, Stan, Will, HMP/JH and Noah. While some would have loved to see HMP play along side Noah, I don’t think he was anywhere close to being a starting level player (20+ mpg).

If Troy getting starters’ minutes led to “trust issues,” I’m not certain how a lineup with Stan starting and Troy being the first man off of the bench would have helped…unless you let AE or JH start in Troy’s spot. I just don’t believe that was the best option. Both AE and JH were given the opportunity to start, but neither was able to keep that job.

calbert40

I bet it comes down to us or MSU. The thing is that we will be able to offer consistent minutes from the beginning. At MSU, he will be behind Costello and Kaminski. Throw in Dawson too, because he plays some at the 4 also.

I think we are an underdog, but none of us thought that we’d get Johnson either. Stranger things have happened.

hoosier1158

I was really surprised MSU lost. Not sure how U-Conn pulled it together. U-Conn lost to Louisville by 30 + points at the end of the year. Maybe that was their bad game for awhile?

hoosier1158

Anyone, even the Russian National Team…

hoosier1158

I would really like to see the NBA change their rule that high school kids that are good enough, can go pro. If you sign a LOI, you should have to honor that for at least 2 years.

John

I agree. If a player is good enough to go straight to the NBA from high school, what is the point of going to college for a year. Give that scholarship to a player who is going to commit to staying at least two years.
Too bad there is no way to make one and done players pay their own way and not give them a scholarship at all.